Clin Osteol 2017; 22(4): 136-141

Effect of short-term fasting on bone metabolism in intact male ratsOriginal contributions

H. Živná, P. Živný, K. Švejkovská-Kubíková, S. Fekete, M. Holeček

Objective: The effect of 24-hour starvation on bone metabolism in intact male Wistar rats was monitored.

Material and methods: The rats were divided into 2 groups of 10 rats and fed for 12 weeks with a standard laboratory diet (ST1) ad libitum: The first group (ST1-S) was fed ST1 until sacrifice. In the 2nd group (ST1-H), ST1 was disconti­ nued 24 hours before sacrifice. Rats were sacrificed by bleeding from the abdominal aorta, after which bone mineral den­ sity (g/cm2) and body composition were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Biomechanical bone resistan­ ce was measured using a custom-made device. The following markers of bone turnover were determined in bone homo­ genates: procollagen I N-terminal propeptide, bone fraction of alkaline phosphatase, bone morphogenetic protein 2, carboxyl-terminal collagen cross-links and insulin-like growth factor 1.

Results: A significant loss ofbody weight and adipose tissue was found in the starving group compared to ST1-S rats. The bone thickness and torsion force required to break the right tibia were lower for ST1-H compar no differences in the concentration of markers assessed in bone homogenate between the groups.

Conclusion: We believe that rats fed with a standard laboratory diet have adequate amou tabolized during fasting. The loss of adipose tissue helps save muscle and bone tissue.

Keywords: starvation, bone markers, bone mineral density, biomechanical testing

Published: December 11, 2017  Show citation